CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon saluted Pete The Feat after the old-timer gave him his most valuable career success in the 32Red Veterans’ Handicap Chase Final at Sandown.

Now 13, the bottom weight, rolled back the years to capture the £61,900 first prize by galloping home with great gusto to hold off Theatrical Star by two lengths in the three-mile contest, with stablemate Loose Chips a gallant third.

The 20-1 outsider was winning for the first time since December 2013, and Longsdon said: “Pete The Feat has been a legend for years.

“He has got a lovely light weight today. It is great. It is the tenth win of his career.

“He has been a brilliant servant for us in the past and Aidan (Coleman) gave him a great ride.

“Loose Chips ran a blinder as well. He has missed three weeks since his last run. He has only been trained off ten days because he had a bad cut, so I am over the moon.”

Pete The Feat may have been a long shot, but Longsdon expected him to put up a bold show despite his yard not having a winner since December 14.

“I thought he would run really well,” he said. “We have had seconds, thirds and fourth in the last month, so it has been frustrating.”

Asked if he was tempted to make the victory his stable stalwart’s swansong, Longsdon said: “There are plenty more races to run him in and he is full of enthusiasm, so why retire him?

“Wilf Rayer, who is in his early 70s, rides him every day. He lets the horse get away with murder and that keeps him as sweet as he is.”

Coleman added: “He doesn’t ride like he is 13. He rides likes a four-year-old.

“You are always trying to retain his enthusiasm and not asking him to go forward at any stage of the race. He just absolutely loves it, and I loved it as well.”